DOCSLIB.ORG

The Effects of Size and Habitat on Delta N-15 of Carnivorous Plants

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Effects of Size and Habitat on Delta N-15 of Carnivorous Plants .I THE EFFECTS OF SIZE AND HABITAT ON 8 N-15 OF CARNIVOROUS PLANTS (Drosera spp.) supervisors: Dr. J. J. Midgley Prof. w. D. stock Project by : Theresa Nobuhle Mgidi HONOURS PROJECT 1999 University of Cape Town The copyright of this thesis vests in the author. No quotation from it or information derived from it is to be published without full acknowledgement of the source. The thesis is to be used for private study or non- commercial research purposes only. Published by the University of Cape Town (UCT) in terms of the non-exclusive license granted to UCT by the author. University of Cape Town BOLUS LIBRARY C24 0007 6233 CONTENTS 1111111111111~~ Page# Abstract 1. INTRODUCTION 1 1.1) Definition 1 1.2.1) Evolution of carnivory 1 1.2.2) Alternatives for the evolution of carnivory 3 1.3) Aims 4 1.4) Predictions or Hypotheses 6 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 8 2.1) Materials 8 2.2) Study sites 9 2.3) 8 N-15 Natural Abundance Measurement 10 _, 2.4) Measurements of Chlorophyll and Anthocyanins 11 2.4.1) Chlorophyll 11 .,r 2.4.2) Anthocyanins 12 ,_\ \_ j LJ . } 3. RESULTS 13 ' 3.1) 8 N-15 Measurements 13 ( \ 3.2) Chlorophyll and Anthocyanins 15 ' 4. DISCUSSION 17 4.1) Sun vs Shade 17 4.2) Tall vs Short Drosera plants 20 4.3) Cool/Damp vs Warm/Seasonally Wet 20 4.4) Chlorophyll and Anthocyanins 21 5. CONCLUSION 23 6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 24 7. REFERENCES 25 Theresa Nobuhle MgidiO 0 Department of Botany, University of Cape Town ABSTRACT: The 8 N-15 natural abundance method was qsed to investigate the role of nutrient­ poor habitats in carnivorous Drosera capensis and Drosera aliciae, and how that role changes under sunny and shady environmental conditions. The main purpose of the study was to evaluate Givnish's (1984) cost/benefit model used to explain the evolution of carnivory in nutrient-poor, sunny and moist habitats. 8 N-15and total nitrogen values of the Drosera species were compared against each other, as well as against the non-carnivorous reference plants collected from each of the two habitats. Generally, data indicated significant differences between the carnivorous plants and their reference plants in terms of 8 N-15 values. However, there was no significant difference between plants collected from the shade and those collected from the sun for both Drosera species. Total nitrogen results revealed higher values for Drosera plants from Camp's Bay than those from Table Mountain did. This indicated that there was a bigger source of insect nitrogen at that site, meaning more insects were available and being caught by the plants at Camp's Bay. Further investigations were performed on the two Drosera species in order to find the influence of altitude, leaf­ size and plant form, on the degree of carnivory. There was an overall, higher degree of carnivory at Camp's Bay where it is, seasonally wet and the plants have longer leaves and a stem-like rosette. On Table Mountain it is cooler, waterlogged, and the plants have short leaves and ground-level rosettes therefore, the degree of carnivory there was lower. Lastly, chlorophyll and anthocyanin contents were measured and compared between the sun and shade collected D. capensis plants, with tentacles intact and with them removed. Chlorophyll investigations showed significant differences between sun and shade collected D. capensis plants but these were not affected by the removal of tentacles. Alternatively, anthocyanin measurements indicated that sun and shade collected D. capensis plants have similar amounts of anthocyanins, but the removal of tentacles results in a decrease (about four times lower) in the anthocyanin content. 1 1] INTRODUCTION 1.1) Carnivory defined: According to Givnish (1984) the definition of plant carnivory is composed oftwo distinguishing characteristics: an ability to attract, capture and digest prey; and an adaptation to absorb nutrients from prey using the plant's surface, thereby increasing the plant's fitness (i.e. increased growth, survival and reproduction). 1.2.1) Evolution of carnivory: Carnivorous plants are usually found in nutrient-poor environments (Darwin, 1875). However, when Givnish (1984) studied an epiphytic Bromiliad, Brocchinia reducta, which also occurs in nutrient limited environments, he noticed that the Bromeliad was not carnivorous and that few epiphytes were carnivorous. The epiphytes were found in nutrient-poor environments that were either shady or exposed to sunlight and regular desiccation. In contrast, carnivorous plants were found in sunny, moist (at least seasonally) nutrient-poor habitats. Similar observations (Darwin, 1875)on the conditions in which carnivorous plants were found had been published prior to Givnish (1984) but no explanations for the preferences were given. Givnish (1984) explained the carnivory in plants using a cost/benefit model. The model considers the energetic benefits and costs of carnivory in various habitats. It is based on the theory that carnivory should evolve if the benefits are greater than the cost of investments of adaptations to carnivory, so that the plants with the mutations for such investments should have an advantage when competing with other plants (Givnish 1979, 1982). The cost/benefit model of plant carnivory is made up ofthree potential benefits and these all support the preference of sunny, moist nutrient-poor habitats by such plants. The primary benefit of this model is the enhancement of photosynthesis due to an increase in nutrient absorption and consequently increased growth and reproduction rates. The enhancement of photosynthesis by the increased nutrient absorption rate depends on environmental conditions (Givnish, 1984). As the amount of energy for carnivory (e.g. traps and/or digestion enzymes) increases, the amount of nutrients absorbed should also increase. Furthermore, as the amount of energy for carnivory \ 2 i i continues to increase, the photosynthetic benefits should rapidly increase and then ' slowly level-off as an equilibrium is reached. 'f.his indicates that factors other than nutrients limit photosynthesis and hence, carnivory in plants. The effective rate of photosynthesis is unlikely to increase if nutrient availability increases, unless nutrients are in short supply and limit photosynthesis (Givnish, 1984). For example, studies by Soreson and Jackson (1968) on a Utricularia species and Chandler and Anderson (1976) on a Drosera species showed that usual increase in growth of carnivorous plants supplied with prey on nutrient-poor habitats largely disappears as nutrient availability in the habitat increases. Therefore, the greatest benefit is expected in nutrient-poor sites (Givnish, 1984). However, if factors like light or water are limiting then the extent to which nutrients added by carnivory can increase photosynthesis decreases (Bannister, 1976). A study by Gulmon and Chu (1981) showed that photosynthesis increases more slowly with added leaf nitrogen at low light intensities than at high ones. Thus, sunny environments are more favourable for maximum benefits from carnivory (i.e. photosynthesis) than shady habitats. f- 0: 0 a: a.. !,2 f­ UJ I f­z (/)>­ ~ it PHOTOSYNTHETIC COST I INEFFICIENCY ASSOCIATED WITH CARNIVORY Figurel: Photosynthetic benefits and costs associated with differential levels of investment in carnivory adaptations in nutrient-poor sites, as a function of environmental conditions [Taken from Givnish, 1984] Figure 1 shows that the benefits of carnivory and consequently, photosynthesis, are limited by the availability of water and light. The relationship is such that in habitats that are sunny and moist carnivory yields greater benefits than in shady and/or dry habitats. Overall, Givnish' s cost/benefit model suggests that the differences in ph<?tosynthetic benefits and costs are positive (i.e. benefits> costs) when there is not so much investment in carnivory. This happens in nutrient-poor environments that are also sunny and moist. 3 1.2.2) Alternatives for the evolution of carnivory: Zamora (1999) has suggested other reasons for carnivory being abundant in sunny and moist, nutrient-poor habitats, besides the cost/benefit reasons put forward by Givnish (1984). Zamora (1999) does not dispute Givnish's (1984) theory; he adds dimension to the subject by giving alternative reasons of carnivory dominating in sunny environments. He looked at the bladders in an Utricularia species, which are used by the plant to trap insects, and noted that the number ofbladders increased in nutrient­ rich soils. This result is opposite to expectations suggested by Givnish (1984). Therefore, according to Zamora (1999) the degree of carnivory is higher in nutrient­ rich environments than nutrient limited ones. Bronstein (1994) showed that results of interactions between organisms are affected by current ecological conditions. Factors such as size and age of carnivorous plants as well as density and population structures of insects can determine the nature of plant-insect interactions. This is such that older and larger leaves have the capacity and opportunity to catch more insects and areas abundant in insects increase the likelihood of insects being trapped by carnivorous plants. Also, abiotic conditions can play a major role in determining the outcome of such plant-insect interactions (Dunson and Travis, 1991) because both plants and insects are affected by environmental conditions, these conditions either promoting the survival of plants and insects or leading to a decline in their numbers. This latter concept supports Givnish' s reasons for carnivory being most successful in sunny, moist environments. The site-specific effects (i.e. shady, sunny) in plant-insect relationships are particularly important because the environment governs the ecophysiology of both plants due to their sessile lifestyle, and insects due to their small size (Zamora, 1999). With all these points in mind, reasons for sunny nutrient-poor habitats being favoured by carnivorous plants, may also be due to the greater abundance of insects of all sizes in open sunny habitats than in shady and dry ones.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Carnivorous Plant Responses to Resource Availability
    Carnivorous plant responses to resource availability: environmental interactions, morphology and biochemistry Christopher R. Hatcher A doctoral thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy of Loughborough University November 2019 © by Christopher R. Hatcher (2019) Abstract Understanding how organisms respond to resources available in the environment is a fundamental goal of ecology. Resource availability controls ecological processes at all levels of organisation, from molecular characteristics of individuals to community and biosphere. Climate change and other anthropogenically driven factors are altering environmental resource availability, and likely affects ecology at all levels of organisation. It is critical, therefore, to understand the ecological impact of environmental variation at a range of spatial and temporal scales. Consequently, I bring physiological, ecological, biochemical and evolutionary research together to determine how plants respond to resource availability. In this thesis I have measured the effects of resource availability on phenotypic plasticity, intraspecific trait variation and metabolic responses of carnivorous sundew plants. Carnivorous plants are interesting model systems for a range of evolutionary and ecological questions because of their specific adaptations to attaining nutrients. They can, therefore, provide interesting perspectives on existing questions, in this case trait-environment interactions, plant strategies and plant responses to predicted future environmental scenarios. In a manipulative experiment, I measured the phenotypic plasticity of naturally shaded Drosera rotundifolia in response to disturbance mediated changes in light availability over successive growing seasons. Following selective disturbance, D. rotundifolia became more carnivorous by increasing the number of trichomes and trichome density. These plants derived more N from prey and flowered earlier.
    [Show full text]
  • Carnivorous Plant Newsletter V44 N4 December 2015
    Technical Refereed Contribution Photoperiod regulates Cape Sundew (Drosera capensis) gland secretion and leaf development Wang Dong-Hui • College of Life Science • Peking University • Haidian • Beijing 100871 • PRC Wang Dong-Qi • Cui Yi-Wei • Yang Lu • Gu Xiao-Di • Song Wen-Fei • Li Feng • The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China • Haidian • Beijing 100080 • PRC • lifeng2004@pku. edu.cn Keywords: carnivorous plant, photoperiod, plant development, Drosera capensis. Abstract: Cape Sundew (Drosera capensis), a carnivorous plant that catches flies with sticky mu- cus, has attracted great interest among botanists and horticulture hobbyists since the Darwin era. But little is known about how this carnivorous plant regulates morphogenesis and organ formation to accommodate environmental changes. In this article we present the relationship between gland secretion of Cape Sundew and photoperiod utilizing various physiological and morphological meth- ods. We show that Cape Sundew grows faster and secretes more mucus under long days than under short days. Under long days leaf length and the blade\petiole ratio increases, leading to increased fly catching capacities. More importantly, in the short term, the rhythm of photoperiod causes Cape Sundew to secrete mucus independent of photo intensity. Introduction As one of the most special plant groups, carnivorous plants perform photosynthesis and feed on insects and some large carnivorous plants even prey on birds and small mammals. Darwin believed that a carnivorous plant was one of the most astonishing phenomena in the world (Dar- win 1875; Ellison & Gotelli 2009). Carnivorous plants are represented by more than 600 species belonging to 20 genera (Ellison & Gotelli 2001; McPherson 2010).
    [Show full text]
  • Phylogeny and Biogeography of the Carnivorous Plant Family Droseraceae with Representative Drosera Species From
    F1000Research 2017, 6:1454 Last updated: 10 AUG 2021 RESEARCH ARTICLE Phylogeny and biogeography of the carnivorous plant family Droseraceae with representative Drosera species from Northeast India [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 not approved] Devendra Kumar Biswal 1, Sureni Yanthan2, Ruchishree Konhar 1, Manish Debnath 1, Suman Kumaria 2, Pramod Tandon2,3 1Bioinformatics Centre, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, 793022, India 2Department of Botany, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, 793022, India 3Biotech Park, Jankipuram, Uttar Pradesh, 226001, India v1 First published: 14 Aug 2017, 6:1454 Open Peer Review https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.12049.1 Latest published: 14 Aug 2017, 6:1454 https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.12049.1 Reviewer Status Invited Reviewers Abstract Background: Botanical carnivory is spread across four major 1 2 angiosperm lineages and five orders: Poales, Caryophyllales, Oxalidales, Ericales and Lamiales. The carnivorous plant family version 1 Droseraceae is well known for its wide range of representatives in the 14 Aug 2017 report report temperate zone. Taxonomically, it is regarded as one of the most problematic and unresolved carnivorous plant families. In the present 1. Andreas Fleischmann, Ludwig-Maximilians- study, the phylogenetic position and biogeographic analysis of the genus Drosera is revisited by taking two species from the genus Universität München, Munich, Germany Drosera (D. burmanii and D. Peltata) found in Meghalaya (Northeast 2. Lingaraj Sahoo, Indian Institute of India). Methods: The purposes of this study were to investigate the Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) , monophyly, reconstruct phylogenetic relationships and ancestral area Guwahati, India of the genus Drosera, and to infer its origin and dispersal using molecular markers from the whole ITS (18S, 28S, ITS1, ITS2) region Any reports and responses or comments on the and ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase (rbcL) sequences.
    [Show full text]
  • TC MF Working Document
    Tokai Cecilia Management Framework: 1 INTRODUCTION . .2 1.1 Management ...................................................................... .2 1.2 Alien plant control . .2 1.3 Preparation after harvesting . .3 1.4 Fire management . .3 1.5 Restoration in terrestrial areas .................................................................................................... 5 1.6 Restoration in wetland and riparian areas ........................................................................... .6 1.7 Long-term planning for a restored vegetation network in Tokai . .7 1.8 Replanting . .8 TABLE 1. LIST OF INAPPROPRIATE ALIEN SPECIES AND SUGGESTED METHODS O F CONTROL. .9 TABLE 2. LIST OF LOCAL INDIGENOUS HIGHER PLANT SPECIES FOR TERRESTRIAL (SANDPLAIN & FOOTHILL) AND WETLAND/ RIPARIAN HABITATS IN T HE TOKAI AREA. .1 1 1 Tokai Cecilia Management Framework: 1 Introduction The following guidelines are applicable to restoration and rehabilitation initiatives of the sand-plain Fynbos in the lower Tokai area. The guidelines are based on: 1) Dr. Patricia M. Holmes, 2003. Management and Restoration Plan for an Area of Tokai Plantation East of Orpen Road and between the Two Car Park Areas. 2) Dr. Patricia M. Holmes, 2004. Management Plan for the Extension of the Core Cape Flats Flora Conservation Site in the Lower Tokai Forest. 3) De Villiers et al, 2005. Ecosystem Guidelines for Environmental Assessment in the Western Cape, 4) Forestry Industry Environmental Committee, 2002. Environmental Guidelines for Commercial Forestry Plantations in South Africa. 5) Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Act No. 43 of 1983). 6) National Water Act (Act No. 36 of 1998). 1.1 Management It should be appreciated that restoration is a process that does not happen in one step, but rather in several steps of recovery along a course of natural repair, with occasional interventions being required to redirect this trajectory along the desired path.
    [Show full text]
  • Drosera Capensis
    Drosera capensis COMMON NAME Cape sundew FAMILY Droseraceae AUTHORITY Drosera capensis L. FLORA CATEGORY Vascular – Exotic STRUCTURAL CLASS Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites BRIEF DESCRIPTION Low growing herb with distinctive strap-like leaves with sticky red hairs, each growing from a central axis (like a dandelion), with tall flower stems (up to 30 cm tall) with a number of bright pink flowers arranged at the tip of the flower stalk, the oldest flowers near the base. Drosera capensis. Photographer: Paul Champion DISTRIBUTION Only known from two sites in Waitakere District, Auckland. HABITAT Dune slack wetlands. FEATURES Rosette-forming perennial herb. Leaves bright green, petiolate with a linear ligulate lamina, 8-16 cm x 4-6 mm. Lamina clad in red stalked glandular hairs secreting a sticky mucilage to trap insects and other small invertebrates. Peduncles several per plant, up to 30 cm long, glandular Drosera capensis. Photographer: Kerry Bodmin hairy, inflorescence a cyme of many (6-30) rose-pink regular 5-petalled flowers 12-14 mm across. Fruit a capsule, with each scape capable of producing 1000-2000 seeds. SIMILAR TAXA Superficially similar to the native sundews, with Drosera arcturi (a montane to subalpine bog species) also having strap-like leaves although these are usually reddish rather than green, with wider petioles with sheathing bases. FLOWERING Late spring to summer FLOWER COLOURS Red/Pink, White FRUITING Summer to autumn LIFE CYCLE Deliberate planting, with subsequent seed dispersal by animals or water. YEAR NATURALISED 2001 ORIGIN South Africa REASON FOR INTRODUCTION Ornamental plant CONTROL TECHNIQUES Notify regional council if found. ETYMOLOGY drosera: Dewy ATTRIBUTION Factsheet prepared by Paul Champion and Deborah Hofstra (NIWA).
    [Show full text]
  • Drosera Capensis (Cape Sundew) Propagation by Leaf Cutting Video Summary Chlöe Fackler PLNT 310, April 7Th, 2017
    Drosera capensis (Cape Sundew) Propagation by Leaf Cutting Video Summary Chlöe Fackler PLNT 310, April 7th, 2017 Sundew Natural History Sundews (Drosera spp.) are carnivorous plants in the family Droseraceae, which also contains the genus Dionaea (Venus Flytrap) and Aldrovanda (Waterwheel) (Lloyd, 1942). They employ a sweet and sticky nectar, secreted from the tentacles (trichomes) on their leaves, to trap insects (Finnie and van Staden, 1993). They then curl the leaf to completely encapsulate their prey, and digest it using a variety of enzymes. The reason for their carnivorous nature is to supplement their growth in mineral-poor media with nitrogen and other nutrients extracted from their prey. In particular, D. capensis, the Cape Sundew, is a species of subtropical sundew native to the cape of South Africa (Brittnacher, n.d.). It can be propagated by seed, and Cape Sundew (Drosera capensis) Plants in the Raymond Greenhouse by leaf, root, and inflorescence cuttings, as well as in vitro using micropropagation. Growing it is also fairly simple, requiring a moist, salt-free medium of peat/sand and sphagnum, and significant light. Objective To determine the effectiveness of different media and the use of Stimroot No. 1 rooting powder (IBA 0.1 mgL-1) on the growth of Drosera capensis (Cape Sundew) from leaf cuttings Procedure View the corresponding video for step-by-step instructions on how to conduct this experiment, or propagate sundews by leaf cuttings in general. Required Materials • Healthy Drosera capensis specimens • Scissors • Isopropanol (for sterilizing) • Sphagnum • Distilled water • Containers with holes (for growing the cuttings in sphagnum moss) • Containers without holes (for growing the cuttings in distilled water) • Seedling flats • Flat covers -1 • Stimroot No.
    [Show full text]
  • Effect of Habitat Structure on Reproduction and Prey Capture of a Rare Carnivorous Plant, Pinguicula Lutea
    EFFECT OF HABITAT STRUCTURE ON REPRODUCTION AND PREY CAPTURE OF A RARE CARNIVOROUS PLANT, PINGUICULA LUTEA BY SAMANTHA PRIMER THESIS Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Plant Biology in the Graduate College of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2016 Urbana, Illinois Master’s Committee: Affiliate Professor Brenda Molano-Flores, Director of Research Emeritus Professor Janice M. Coons, Eastern Illinois University Professor James Dalling Professor Andrew Suarez ABSTRACT Habitat modification is one of the greatest threats to biodiversity worldwide and the main contributor to the decline of many carnivorous plant species. For carnivorous plants in the Southeast US, including many Pinguicula species (butterwort, Lentibulariaceae), habitat modification via altered fire regime has been implicated in their decline. Despite this decline, limited empirical research has been conducted examining the influence of habitat structure on reproduction and prey capture of carnivorous plant species in this region. The studies described in this thesis aim to address this deficit. Chapter 1 provides a general introduction to carnivorous plants, focusing primarily on Pinguicula species. In this chapter, I describe the results of a series of preliminary studies on Pinguicula lutea (yellow butterwort) to address gaps in knowledge of its basic biology (e.g., breeding system and prey identification) and to develop sampling protocols (e.g., seed set and prey sampling) for further work. Chapter 2 addresses the impacts of habitat structure (i.e., woody, grassy, and maintained) on reproduction and prey capture for Pinguicula lutea in the Florida Panhandle. Lastly, Chapter 3 provides conservation, management, and additional research recommendations for Pinguicula lutea and its congeners.
    [Show full text]
  • The Function of Secondary Metabolites in Plant Carnivory 1 Christopher R
    1 Review Paper: The function of secondary metabolites in plant carnivory 2 Christopher R. Hatcher*, Dr David B. Ryves, Dr Jonathan Millett 3 Geography and Environment, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU 4 * Corresponding author: 5 Email: [email protected] 6 1 1 ABSTRACT 2 Background: Carnivorous plants are an ideal model system for evaluating the role of 3 secondary metabolites in plant ecology and evolution. Carnivory is a striking example of 4 convergent evolution to attract, capture and digest prey for nutrients to enhance growth and 5 reproduction and has evolved independently at least ten times. Though the role of many traits 6 in plant carnivory has been well studied, the role of secondary metabolites in the carnivorous 7 habit are considerably less understood. 8 Scope: This review provides the first synthesis of research in which secondary plant 9 metabolites have been demonstrated to have a functional role in plant carnivory. From these 10 studies we identify key metabolites for plant carnivory, their functional role, and highlight 11 biochemical similarities across taxa. From this synthesis we provide new research directions 12 for integrating secondary metabolites into understanding of the ecology and evolution of 13 plant carnivory. 14 Conclusions: Carnivorous plants use secondary metabolites to facilitate prey attraction, 15 capture, digestion and assimilation. We found ~170 metabolites for which a functional role in 16 carnivory has been demonstrated. Of these, 26 compounds are present across genera that 17 independently evolved a carnivorous habit, suggesting convergent evolution. Some secondary 18 metabolites have been co-opted from other processes such as defence or pollinator attraction.
    [Show full text]
  • Wounding and Chemical Treatment Effects on Drosera Capensis Bud Formation on Leaf Cuttings
    Technical Refereed Contribution Wounding and chemical treatment effects on Drosera capensis bud formation on leaf cuttings Mason Mcnair • aManda Wilkins • dennis Werner • Department of Horticultural Science • Box 7609 • North Carolina State University • Raleigh, NC 27695-7609 • USA • [email protected] Introduction Drosera capensis L. (Droseraceae) is one of the most commonly grown carnivorous plants prized for its ease of culture and rapid growth. In cultivation, seed is preferred for propagating this species; however, in the case of cultivar propagation, asexual propagation must be used. D. capensis readily propagates from both leaf and root cuttings. Leaf cuttings can be used to asexually propagate D. capensis (Brittnacher 2011). Wounding and exogenous hormone ap- plications are commonly used in herbaceous and woody plant asexual propagation to enhance adventitious root and shoot formation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of wounding and exogenous hormone application (auxin and cytokinin) on adventitious shoot formation on leaf cuttings of D. capensis. Materials and Methods The experiment was replicated in three separate flats using a 1:1 peat and milled sphagnum soil mixture. Leaf cuttings were taken from established plants maintained in the N.C. State University conservatory. Leaves used for cuttings were the youngest, fully unfurled leaves. The five treatments in this experiment consisted of an untreated control, two separate wounding treatments, a liquid auxin dip and a liquid cytokinin dip. The first wounding treatment entailed making a slight cut down the middle of the midvein on the adaxial side of the leaf using a single edge razor blade (razor wounding). The second wounding treatment involved poking the ad- axial side of the leaf about ten times with a needle in a uniform pattern (needle wounding).
    [Show full text]
  • Drosera Capensis (Droseraceae), a New Naturalised Record for Australia
    Volume 14: 89–92 ELOPEA Publication date: 21 December 2012 T dx.doi.org/10.7751/telopea2012015 Journal of Plant Systematics plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/Telopea • escholarship.usyd.edu.au/journals/index.php/TEL • ISSN 0312-9764 (Print) • ISSN 2200-4025 (Online) Drosera capensis (Droseraceae), a new naturalised record for Australia Richard W. Jobson and Barry J. Conn1 National Herbarium of New South Wales, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia 1author for correspondence: [email protected] Abstract Drosera capensis L. (Droseraceae) is reported as a naturalised new record for Australia, occurring in the Central Coast bioregion of New South Wales. Although the full extent of the distribution of this species is not known, it is currently thought to be isolated to a small creek-side community within the Royal National Park, New South Wales, south of Sydney. The full extent of the invasion is being evaluated and control measures are being enacted to eradicate the known population within the park. A key to the species of Drosera occurring in New South Wales, amendments to the key to species occurring in Australia, together with a description of D. capensis, are provided. Introduction Drosera capensis L. (Cape sundew; Droseraceae) is a small rosette-forming species native to the Cape region of South Africa, and has been phylogenetically placed within subgenus Drosera section Drosera (Rivadavia et al. 2003). A population of D. capensis was recently reported as naturalised to a small creek within the Royal National Park, Central Coast bioregion, New South Wales (Jobson 1354).
    [Show full text]
  • Propagation of Drosera Rotundifolia and Drosera Capensis in an in Vitro Culture System
    Propagation of Drosera rotundifolia and Drosera capensis in an in vitro Culture System 1* 1 Ileana MICLEA , Marius ZĂHAN 1 *Department of Animal Reproduction,University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5, Mănăştur Street, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Corresponding author, e-mail: [email protected] Bulletin UASVM Animal Science and Biotechnologies 74(2)/ 2017 Print ISSN 1843-5262; Electronic ISSN 1843-536X DOI:10.15835/buasvmcn-asb: 0018 ABSTRACT Drosera rotundifolia and Drosera capensis in vitro (Droseraceae) are carnivorous plants grown as ornamentals and sources for homeopathic medicine. The aim of this study was to optimize nutrient and growth regulator concentrations for the propagation of these species. Half strength MS medium (1/2MS) was supplemented with kinetin (0.5, 2, 5 mg/l) or 6-benzyladenine (3, 5 mg/l) and plantlets were transferred to 1/2MS with or without cytokinins. After 8 weeks rosette diameter, plant height, number of roots, root length were recorded and plants were cultured in fullD. strength rotundifolia MS, 1/2MS or 1/2MS with 0.5 mg/l α-naphthaleneacetic acid for the same period of time. Afterwards, plant characteristics (number of roots, root length, number of shoots, number of flower stalks) were assessed. For , shoot development and rosette diameter increased significantly in the medium with 0.5 mg/l kinetin and 3 mg/l 6-benzyladenine, whileD. capensis root development decreased. Plant growth regulator free medium was more suitable for root development than medium with α-naphthaleneacetic acid and thus supported the formation of significantly more flower stalks. For , kinetin was detrimental for shoot development, the optimumKeywords: medium auxins, for cytokinins, both shoot Drosera and root rotundifolia, formation Drosera being MS capensis, without in plant vitro growth regulators.
    [Show full text]
  • CARNIVOROUS PLANT CARE SELECTION SUNLIGHT TEMPERATURE BEGINNER PLANTS Plants Need at Least 3–4 Hardy Carnivorous Plants Hours of Direct Sunlight Daily
    CARNIVOROUS PLANT CARE SELECTION SUNLIGHT TEMPERATURE BEGINNER PLANTS Plants need at least 3–4 Hardy carnivorous plants hours of direct sunlight daily. require 3–4 months of ΅ Sundews (Drosera capensis, dormancy triggered by temperatures Drosera binata) Outdoor Plants: 4–6+ hours of sun below 50°F and shorter daylight ΅ Pitcher plants (Sarracenia flava) Indoor plants: bright, sunny window hours. During dormancy, they: ΅ Butterworts (Pinguicula grandiflora, facing east, west, or south Pinguicula moranensis) ΅ Slow in growth and leaves begin to Flytraps and Sarracenia are not turn brown around the edges INTERMEDIATE PLANTS recommended for indoor growing; ΅ Must remain sitting in some standing ΅ Venus flytraps often perish from lack of sunlight. water to prevent soil from drying out ΅ Asian pitchers ΅ Can tolerate overnight frosts with ΅ Cobra lilies little protection; container plants are very vulnerable to freeze damage INDOOR GROWING WATER To avoid frost burn, protect plants ΅ Tropical sundews (Drosera Keep soil consistently moist; during extended periods below 20°F capensis, Drosera spatulata) not wet (bog-like conditions). or during freezing temps and wind. ΅ Asian pitchers (Nepenthes) ΅ Mexican butterworts (Pinguicula) ΅ High humidity is ideal ΅ Cover plants with black plastic/tarp ΅ Best grown in a container with large or move into unheated garage/shed OUTDOOR GROWING tray under the pot filled with water ΅ When temperatures go above 35°F, ΅ Venus flytraps ΅ Use water with no chlorine and low uncover plants and return outdoors ΅ Pitcher
    [Show full text]